the image below shows what I'm use to working with. But for multiple dispatcher panels, i wonder if there is a higher density connector available? telco punch down blocks come to mind
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
For low current applications - nothing wrong with telco punchdown blocks. Just keep track of a color code, and/or write small, there's not a lot of room to write a labl for each connection. Typically all that ever gets written is a 4 or 5 digit extension number for a pair of wires.
Using 50 pair cable keeps the runs between the panel and the layout neat, too, all nicely cabled together - but there is one gotcha, 50 pair cable has 2 sets of each color combination. ANother way to do it, if you need that many wires, is the punch blocks with the 50 pin conenctor, and use a 50 pin cable to another punch block under the layout. Then the pair on the panel's punch block at position 1 is the same pair under the layout at position 1. The connectors are Centronics 50 pin, similar but larger than old parallel printer cables. That gets you 25 pairs from one 66 block to another without running individual wires - and make the panel removeable by disconnecting that one connector, and the power supply.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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I like what you are already using. As I have said before, I do my best to decentralize, and space is really not an issue.
Having designed and built hundreds of industrial machine control panels and relay panels, in addition to model railroad controls, I have learned how to use a combination of daisy chain and hub/spoke wiring methods to decentralize connections as well.
I have never found a use for 50 pair cable, I never have that many wires between any two control panels or relay boards.
For control wires, again, I like captive terminal blocks like you pictured. For heavier track power wiring with stranded wire, I use conventional terminal strips and StaCon terminals.
Sheldon
What you call the european conductors comes in two styles
One as mentionned with a double screw system and an other style where one part can be plugged or inserted in the second half.
Don't know if the plugin one are available in US, but I have used a lot on my layout, specialy the plugged one for all my control panels, which make them easy to maintain on the workbench if necessary.
They come in the small size but also in the medium and the big size, allowing to connect any size of wire.
They comes in 12 connections size but they are also some of 24 connections, even they are difficult to find.
The two models are bullet proof connection and for a long time; don't forget they are approved to be used in the 220v system in Europe.
They are not expensive and versatile, any change can be done with just a screwdriver, no need of soldering or any other stuff.
Seems they are available on Amazon
I can only recommend them for train layout wiring
This is the most common used European connector
This is the plugin system
And a view of one of my control panel; the connectors above it are the plugin model one
I also used those so-called european connectors on all kinds of things on the lay out, not only on control panels but even inside buildings, under layout, where ever I needed power connections. I bought the twelve size always and just cut them down. Very easy to cut, with a razor saw or #18 xacto chisel blade. I got all of mine from a Radio Shack store near Me in the late 80's. That is what the pkg. stated.....European style Connectors:
Image may be clicked on for larger view:
Take Care!
Frank
At my club, we've used 50-pin ribbon wire connections for things like indicator boards in yards. In one yard, we have 49 switches, and each one has two LED's (red & green) that light up on a panel. We use one 50-pin ribbon for all the green LED's and another one for all the red LED's (the 50th connector is the common).
The 50-pin ribbon connector plugs into terminal strips that have small screw terminals attached. These connectors are used at both ends of the ribbon cable.
Basically, all the LED wiring is routed from the Tortoise machines to a central hub under the yard and tied into the two 50-pin terminals. All the LED's are wired into the removable yard panel and tied to the panel's twin 50-pin terminals. Then the two ribbon cables simply conntect the yard hub to the yard panel.